Detroit Tigers starting pitcher David Price delivers a pitch to the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning Thursday. AP Photo

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- It wasn't just the best game David Price has pitched during his brief tenure in a Detroit Tigers uniform. It was the best game Price has pitched, well, ever.

Standing on an all too familiar mound at Tropicana Field on Thursday, Price twirled his first career one-hitter.

But he didn't get help from Detroit's offense in a 1-0 loss to Tampa Bay.

Rays fans finally got a chance to say goodbye following last month's blockbuster trade with the Tigers, though. And based on what they witnessed, bidding adieu was probably tough to swallow.

For eight flawless innings, Price retired batter after batter, using a barrage of backdoor cutters and pinpoint fastballs to completely shut down his former teammates, in a homecoming the 28-year-old southpaw is likely never to forget.

"That was something I thought I'd never have to do," Price said after the Tigers' seventh shutout loss of the season. "Not pitching against these guys in this ballpark. Or against them ever."

When Price took the mound in the first inning, he was greeted to an emotional standing ovation from Rays fans, a sign of the crowd's appreciation for the seven years he dedicated to Tampa Bay.

When he walked back to the visiting dugout after the eighth inning, those same fans returned to their feet and extended him a second ovation. This time, they stood in recognition of the masterpiece he had just tossed.

"This was probably the best I've pitched in (any) game," Price said. "That was the least amount of hits I've ever given up."

Needing only 100 pitches to work his major league-leading seventh complete game, Price threw 73 for strikes. He also struck out nine to extend his major-league lead (221) and set a career season high in the process.

Price allowed just two batters to reach base, including Ben Zobrist, who reached on a throwing error in the first inning by Eugenio Suarez and then scored on Brandon Guyer's one-out triple.

One hit. One run.

"(Price) was great," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "He really was. Considering all the circumstances surrounding the environment of this game, he was great."

Price retired the final 23 batters he faced, becoming just the second pitcher since 1969 to throw a complete game one-hitter in his first appearance against his former team. He also didn't issue a walk, never even reaching a three-ball count on any hitter.

"I guess I could've asked for a perfect game from him," said Ausmus when asked to put the former Cy Young Award winner's start into perspective. "But that's probably stretching it."

Price had preferred that his rotation turn would have not come up this series, only because he hated the idea of facing his friends.

On Thursday, he just needed more help from his current teammates.

Offense, or a lack thereof, has been an ongoing problem for the Tigers for much of the second half. Against the Rays, they were shut out for the seventh time this season.

"I just wish we would've scored some runs," outfielder Torii Hunter said. "Or at least one run. It sucks."

Detroit went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position, managing just four hits as a team. After leading the league with a .280 batting average in the first half, the Tigers have hit just .248 since the All-Star break, which ranks second to last in the AL Central.

It's a problem the Tigers will need to sort out, sooner rather than later.

In the midst of a brutal schedule, in which they play 21 games in the next 20 days, it appears the Tigers have no plans to bring in an outside bat around the waiver deadline.

There's been discussions that they could land Cuban defector Rusney Castillo, and the talk seems to be quite serious at this point. In fact, Castillo could decide to sign with a team by the weekend. But it's a stretch to think the 27-year-old could provide immediate help for the Tigers.

Next year? Absolutely. Castillo could be used to patrol center field. This year? It seems nearly impossible. There's less than two weeks remaining in the minor-league season and there just isn't enough time for him to catch up to speed.

Also, Castillo is reportedly in the process of acquiring a work visa, and there's no guarantee the issue will be resolved before Sept. 1, which is the deadline in which he needs to be signed by in order to be added to a team's playoff roster.

The Tigers also were made aware earlier this week that outfielder Andy Dirks was officially shut down after suffering a Grade 1 hamstring strain during an injury rehab assignment in Toledo. The likelihood of Dirks rejoining the team later this season is slim to none.

If the Tigers are going to break out of their offensive slump, they're going to have to do it with the players they currently have on hand. They could receive outside help in early September when rosters expand to 40. Touted minor-league catcher James McCann and slugging outfield prospect Steven Moya likely will be added.

But McCann and Moya won't lead the Tigers to a fourth straight division title. They may help, but the onus and responsibility mostly rests on Detroit's stars. Players like Ian Kinsler and J.D. Martinez, who were two of the team's hottest hitters in the first half, but have disappeared the past two months, need to step up.

The same is true for Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez, who have both shown signs of breaking out at the plate the past few weeks. And that needs to continue.

The Tigers recognize that they'll go as far as their starting pitching will take them. That's why they made a hefty investment last month to bring Price to Detroit. But as Price proved Thursday, the Tigers still need to score runs to win games.